Bill Gates-backed TerraPower seeks UK approval for nuclear reactor design
TerraPower, founded by Bill Gates and a nuclear innovation firm, submitted its first design of a new reactor type, as well as an energy storage system, to the British regulatory authorities for approval. TerraPower stated that the application to the UK Generic Design Assessment process (GDA) marks the first regulatory steps towards the deployment of its Natrium technology on a global marketplace. It added that the company was looking for sites in the UK to build its Natrium reactor, in collaboration with U.S.-based engineering firm KBR.
Singapore allocates more land to green energy and data centre park
Singapore has allocated more land to its manufacturing hub Jurong Island for renewable energy and data centres, according to a statement released by the Singapore Economic Development Board (SEDB) and JTC Corporation on Monday. The agencies have announced that about 300 hectares (741.32 acre) of land, or roughly 10% of Jurong Island, will be reserved for renewable energy projects and low carbon fuel production. Two of Singapore's three refineries, operated by Exxon Mobil Chevron, and PetroChina, are located on the 3,000-hectare Jurong Island.
Singapore allocates more land to green energy and data centre park
Singapore has allocated more land to its manufacturing hub Jurong Island for renewable energy and data centres, according to a statement released by the Singapore Economic Development Board (SEDB) and JTC Corporation on Monday. The agencies have announced that about 300 hectares (741.32 acre) of land, or roughly 10% of Jurong Island, will be reserved for renewable energy projects and low carbon fuel production. Two of Singapore's three refineries, operated by Exxon Mobil Chevron, and PetroChina, are located on the 3,000-hectare Jurong Island.
Colombia wins offshore wind bid by CIP of Denmark
The head of Colombia's hydrocarbons agency announced on Thursday that a subsidiary from Denmark's Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, CIP, had bid to develop a wind project for the first round of the South American nation's offshore energy auction. Orlando Velandia of Colombia's National Hydrocarbons Agency, ANH, said that CIP subsidiary CI GMF Cooperatief U.A. ANH did not immediately provide details of the offer. ANH did not immediately disclose details of the offer. Velandia, who spoke at a Cartagena forum…
Senator: US energy prices will spike due to Trump's decision to cut grants
The Trump administration’s plans to cancel nearly eight billion dollars in Energy Department grants is illegal, because contracts were already signed. It will also cause consumer energy costs to skyrocket. The Energy Department cancelled $7.56 billion of funding for clean energy project earlier this month because it did not believe that the projects would provide enough return to taxpayers. Senator Martin Heinrich from New Mexico stated that these projects would have increased energy and flexibility to the grid. "The administration is limiting the amount of energy we can put onto the grid.
Portugal's proposal on grid returns for EDP still lags behind European peers
Portugal's energy market regulator ERSE announced on Thursday that it would increase the returns on the grid assets of EDP, the country's biggest utility. However, the proposed return is still below what EDP's counterparts in other European countries enjoy. The crippling blackout which hit Spain and Portugal in April has reignited the debate on investments and remuneration of power networks, as well as their integration with renewable energy sources and to meet higher demand for power, such data centers.
Report: Global renewable energy growth is still short of climate targets despite record global growth
Globally, renewable energy capacity reached a record high in 2016, but countries still fell short of the U.N. goal of tripled capacity by 2030. This was revealed by a report released by global renewable groups on Tuesday. At the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, 2023, more than 100 countries agreed to triple their renewable energy capacity in 2030 in order to achieve global climate targets. The report, by the International Renewable Energy Agency and the Global Renewables Alliance, as well as the COP30 Brazilian presidency, tracks progress toward meeting the goal and comes before this year's COP U.N.
Maguire: Italy's economic troubles have an upside for the moment, a positive climate.
The persistent economic crisis in Italy has led to the lowest emissions in its power sector for decades. Climate activists need to be aware that economic measures could cause a rapid U-turn on pollution trends. Italy has been experiencing economic stagnation for over a decade. This has resulted in a steady decline of goods produced and exported, and lowered power consumption among many businesses. The lower power demand by industry allowed Italy's utilities, which were once a nation that ranked among the top 10 polluting nations…
Maguire: Italy's economic troubles have an upside for the moment, a positive climate.
The persistent economic crisis in Italy has led to the lowest emissions in its power sector for decades. Climate activists need to be aware that economic measures could cause a rapid U-turn on pollution trends. Italy has been experiencing economic stagnation for over a decade. This has resulted in a steady decline of goods produced and exported, and lowered power consumption among many businesses. The lower power demand by industry allowed Italy's utilities, which were once a nation that ranked among the top 10 polluting nations…
RWE withdraws $10 billion Namibia Green Hydrogen Project
RWE, the German energy utility, announced on Monday it was withdrawing from Namibia's $10 Billion Hyphen green ammonia Project. This is a blow for Namibia's ambitions of becoming a hydrogen hub. The pullback represents the latest example where companies are reconsidering their investments in a new technology that costs a lot to develop. RWE signed an initial non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Hyphen in 2020 to take approximately 300,000 tonnes of ammonia per year - a compound that is mainly used to make fertilizer - starting 2027.
US to cancel 13 billion dollars in green energy funds
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it would cancel over $13 billion of funds pledged by the Biden Administration to subsidize solar, wind, batteries, and electric vehicles. The funds that were targeted weren't immediately apparent. The department didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for more information. The department stated that by returning the funds to American taxpayers, the Trump Administration is demonstrating its commitment to providing more affordable, reliable, and secure American energy, and to being more responsible with taxpayer dollars.
BayWa's renewable energy unit may be affected by US subsidy regulations
The company stated on Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s tax and spending plan could lower the U.S. earning of German agricultural supply trader BayWa’s renewable unit. This would drive its share price down. BayWa Renewable Energy r.e. is reviewing its long-term business planning and earnings expectations in light of the so called 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' which has significantly reduced the subsidies for renewable energy sources. AG will review its long-term plans and earnings estimates and could potentially reduce them," the company said in a press release. At 0817 GMT, shares of BayWa fell 3.9%.
India's Vedanta will keep coal as its base energy source despite clean energy push
Vedanta, an Indian mining and metals company, will continue to use coal as the primary source of energy for its mining operations. However, it aims to increase its share of renewable energy sources in its energy blend, according to a senior executive on Tuesday. Deshnee Niaidoo said that coal accounts for almost 70% of Vedanta’s energy mix in an interview at the FT Live Energy Transition Summit India. Naidoo stated that coal will be the main contributor to Vedanta's baseload. Naidoo stated that the company plans to increase the share of renewables in its operations…
Vedanta's top executive: coal will remain the base energy source for India's Vedanta
Vedanta, an Indian mining and metals company, will continue to use coal as the primary source of energy for its mining operations. However, it aims to increase its share of renewable energy sources in its energy blend. Deshnee Niaidoo said that coal accounts for almost 70% of Vedanta’s energy mix in an interview at the FT Live Energy Transition Summit India. Naidoo stated that coal will be the main contributor to Vedanta's baseload. Naidoo stated that the company plans to increase the share of renewables in its operations…
Prices rise sharply due to less wind and nuclear supply
The wholesale European power prices surged Tuesday, as French nuclear power generation dropped and wind power production in the region is expected to be lower on the day ahead. A market that is under-supplied can be identified by the weaker scenario of electricity supply and the higher demand projections. By 815 GMT on Wednesday, the price of French baseload electricity for delivery was 59 euros ($69.57 per megawatt-hour (MWh), up 165.2% over the previous close. The German baseload day-ahead bid was 72.2 euros/MWh after closing at 17.5 euro/MWh.
Alaskans fear higher energy prices as Trump drills
Alaskans spend nearly two times as much on electricity as the national average. Matt Goodnow, financial counselor at a hospital located in Homer, Alaska, a fishing village on the Kenai Peninsula, said that higher energy costs would be detrimental to the community. The Trump administration is not only planning to eliminate federal funding for renewable energy projects and to remove tax breaks, it also proposes to lift the limits set by former president Joe Biden regarding oil and gas drilling in Alaska. Renewable energy projects in Alaska have been halted or cancelled by leading companies.
Germany is planning to stop using fixed-term contracts for renewable energy installations
According to the Economy Ministry, Germany will no longer use long-term fixed-price contracts for buying power from new renewable energies installations. However, it will continue to support this sector. The critics of fixed feed-in rates say that they are too expensive for the government and energy consumers, and that renewable industries have been established enough to be subjected to market forces. The economy ministry announced that alternative financing models will be examined. The economy…
India's power production rises at the fastest rate in five months due to industrial boost
The data of the federal grid operator revealed that India's electricity generation in August increased at its fastest rate since March. Manufacturing activity was accelerating due to strong demand. Grid India's daily analysis showed that the 4% increase in output of electricity last month led to a first-time annualised boost in coal-fired generation in five months. This year, India's dependence upon coal has been reduced by the sustained growth of renewable energy capacity. About three-quarters of the annual electricity is generated by coal.
UN chief calls on tech industry to use renewable energy for data centers
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on tech companies on Tuesday to power data centers using 100% renewable energy by the year 2030. This is despite the fact that the industry has been turning to coal and gas fired power plants in order to meet the surge in demand. The Secretary General argued that data centers are energy-hungry and should be redirected to a future of renewable energy. He said the transition is inevitable even though some countries still use fossil fuels. Guterres…
China begins construction of the world's largest dam on hydropower in Tibet
The official Xinhua News Agency reported that China's Premier Li Qiang had announced the start construction of what is estimated to be the largest hydropower project in the world. It will be located on the eastern rims of the Tibetan plateau, and the cost of this project is estimated at around $170 billion. The project is part China's drive to expand renewable energy sources and reduce carbon emission. The dam, which will consist of five cascades of hydropower stations and be located at the lower reaches Yarlung Zangbo River could have a major impact on millions of people in India and Bangladesh.